Searching for Bobby Fisher (1993)

Directed by Steven Zaillian. Starring Max Pomeranc, Joe Mantegna, Ben Kingsley, Joan Allen, Laurence Fishburne, David Paymer, Robert Stephens, Michael Nirenberg, Austin Pendleton, Hal Scardino, William H. Macy, Laura Linney, Dan Hedaya. [PG]

Young chess prodigy Josh Waitzkin (Pomeranc) finds his playing style getting influenced by two different figures in his life—stern instructor Kingsley and fast-talking chess hustler Fishburne—but he also yearns for the simple pleasures of being the carefree child of loving parents Mantegna and Allen, the sort of life often deprived those who fully devote themselves to the game. Insightful and surprisingly engrossing (considering that the game of chess is not conducive to visual electricity or easy investment), with a balance between the cerebral and visceral, between sensitivity and dramatic fireworks, that’s rare to find (and difficult to achieve). First-rate cast delivers across the board, with Pomeranc giving that rarest of child performances: naturalistic and understated. The script overreaches at times in showcasing pressures and posing philosophical questions, succeeding more when focusing on character and situation in intimate terms. Regardless, consider this a rousing success for screenwriter Zaillian (making his directorial debut here) and his team, especially Conrad L. Hall and his richly expressive photography. Based on the book of the same name, written by Josh’s father.

86/100